The Ripon Police Department could soon be adding three new cars to the fleet.

The Ripon City Council recently authorized police to go ahead with a grant application to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control for the purchase of three alternative fuel vehicles.

None are squad cars.

According to Chief Ed Ormonde, one would be used to replace the Recreation Director’s car while the other two would go to the Community Service officer and administration.

“There will be a charge of $4,600 for the police department vehicles to be equipped with lights and radios,” he said at the Aug. 14 meeting.

City Clerk Lisa Roos noted that Capital Funds would take of those extras.

The grant is for $60,000, according to the staff report, while cost of all three vehicles is estimated at $102,605.

The balance – $42,605 – would come from the General Capital-Department Fund, which currently has a balance of $982,275.

Specifically, police are looking to purchase two 2019 Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedans, and a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid.

The report indicated that the two Ford sedan vehicles could ultimately replace two current gas vehicles.

“The purpose of this program is to fund the purchase of new electric, plug-in hybrid, or alternative fuel vehicles for public agencies to promote clean air alternative-fuel technologies and the use of low-or zero-emission vehicles in public fleets,” Ormonde said.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.